Early voting underway in Coweta

Fri, 10/19/2012 - 11:08amBen Nelms

The 2012 General Election is just around the corner, and early voting for the Nov. 6 election is underway. Early voting includes the ability to cast your vote today (Saturday) and again next Saturday, Oct. 27.

Early voting in Coweta County is held at only one location, the elections office located at 22 East Broad Street in Newnan. The office is open Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Early voting will also be available at the same location for Saturday voting on Oct. 20 from 9 a.m. until noon and on Oct. 27 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Coweta County Superintendent of Elections Jane Scoggins said there are approximately 900 people casting their ballots each day. Scoggins said her best advice to voters is to “know before you go.”

“Know where your voting precinct is located before to go to vote. Some people who have moved to Coweta have registered to vote but have not been to their new polling place,” Scoggins said.

Scoggins suggested that voters the access the “My Voter Page” on the Ga. Secretary of State’s website at www.mvp.sos.state.ga.us A quick login will display the individual’s voter registration status, ballot status, polling location, early voting location, a sample ballot and other information.

Once at the polling place, registered voters must produce any one of the following valid items to cast their vote. Those include a Georgia drivers license, state or U.S.-issued identification card with a photo, a U.S. passport, a government employee photo ID card, a U.S. military ID card or a tribal ID card.

With the preliminaries out of the way it will be time to vote. So what will voters see on the Nov. 6 ballot? Beyond the vote for President, the only contested race, and only for Newnan area residents, will be the race for the District 5 seat on the Coweta County Commission that features incumbent Al Smith (D) and Republican challenger Hayden Marlowe.

Voters will also have their say on two constitutional amendments. One of those pertains to the much publicized charter schools amendment, asking if the state constitution should be amended to allow state or local approval of public charter schools upon the request of local communities.

The other question asks if the constitution should be amended to give provide a reduction in state operating costs by allowing the General Assembly to authorize some state agencies to enter into multi-year rental agreements.